Winter 2025 – 26 The Gifts That Never Stop Giving
Monitor Your Blood Pressure Toolkit Locally supported by FROM OUR DIRECTOR Since 2023, the Briggs Lawrence County Public Library (BLCPL) has been working to go “Beyond Books” by expanding its catalog, outreach, and offering non-traditional items through a “Library of Things” at the South Point Branch. This initiative is part of the broader HALO (Healthy Active Lawrence Ohio) project, designed to support community wellness, outdoor activity, and skill-building. Our HALO initiatives include: Book a Bike at the Ironton Branch: Free 24–72-hour bicycle rentals with helmets, and optional toddler and cargo attachments; the Library of Things at South Point: Offers free checkout of sports and exercise equipment like pickleball and disc golf gear; Libraries with Heart: A partnership with the American Heart Association to offer blood pressure screening kits for checkout; and in Spring 2026 the Proctorville Community Garden, a space for free gardening and access to healthy produce, will open at BLCPL. These efforts respond directly to community requests for support in improving health, engaging with nature, and exploring new activities and BLCPL is proud to answer those needs. Gretchen Claypool, Executive Director, Briggs Lawrence County Public Library System Ironton Branch 321 South 4th Street Ironton, Ohio 45638 (740) 532-1124 South Point Branch 317 Solida Road South Point, Ohio 45680 (740) 377-2288 Chesapeake Branch at St. Ann’s Parish Hall 310 3rd Avenue Chesapeake, Ohio 45619 (740) 867-3390 Proctorville Branch 410 Elizabeth Street Proctorville, Ohio 45669 (740) 886-6697 Symmes Valley Branch 14860 State Route 141 Willow Wood, Ohio 45696 (740) 202-9182 Hamner Room (Genealogy) 321 South 4th Street Ironton, Ohio 45638 (740) 532-1124 OUR BRANCHES Library Administration Offices P.O. Box 1116 • South Point, OH 45680 • (740) 533-0363 Winter is a season of rest and rejuvenation for the environment and the people who live in it. At BLCPL it is also a season of planning and preparation. We hope patrons take part in our Winter Reading Initiative and make use of our digital eBooks and eAudio, movies, music, magazines and comics so they can stay connected to BLCPL even when the weather doesn’t allow a visit to a physical location. Fortifying access to digital resources is another way BLCPL is moving “Beyond Books” and we invite you on the journey with us. If you need help accessing our digital resources using your phone, tablet, or smart tv contact the library via phone and we will walk you through the process. IMAGINE A LIBRARY “BEYOND BOOKS.”
Story Times Enjoy books, songs, and activities while building literacy skills and encourage emerging language and literacy skills while having fun. Preschool Storytime (for ages 3-6) Enjoy books, songs, activities and more, while building early literacy skills. Mondays | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Tuesdays | Proctorville | 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Thursdays | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 11:00 a.m. Saturdays | Symmes Valley | 11:00 a.m. Toddler Time (for ages 12 months – 36 months) Encourage emerging language and literacy skills with books, rhymes, music, and fun. Tuesdays | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Wednesdays | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 11:00 a.m. Music & Motion (for ages 5 and under) Join us for fun and learning with songs, dance, rhythm, and movement. Mondays | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 11:00 a.m. Briggsy’s Kids FORAGE WITH US! NOV. 8 | 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. IRONTON BRANCH
Adult Programs Crochet Club (for adults and seniors) Every Tuesday of the month South Point | 1:00 p.m. Every Other Thursday | Proctorville | 5:00 p.m. Yoga for All (for adults and seniors) This class is for beginners and pros alike. Please bring your own mat. Every Wednesday| Ironton | 6:00 p.m. Nimble Needlers (for adults and seniors) Calling all needle crafters. Bring your projects and enjoy socializing with fellow crafters. Nov 8 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Nov 22 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Bingo(for adults and seniors) Play free for fun and prizes Nov 19 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 2:00 p.m. Nov 20 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Nov 21 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. 3rd Thursday Book Discussion (for adults and seniors) Contact Carolyn at the Proctorville Branch for this month’s title and to obtain a copy of the book. Nov 20 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Seeds of Gratitude (for adults and seniors) Join The Common Soil Collective for a seed share, seed storage demonstration, and craft gratitude seed envelopes. Nov 17| Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Sign (for adults and seniors) All materials provided. Nov 5 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 2:00 p.m. Nov 10 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Nov 13 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Nov 24 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. How to: Preserving Herbs (for adults and seniors) Zoie Clay with the OSU Extension Office will conduct this hands-on class. Class size is limited to 15 participants. Nov 6 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Bow Making for the Holidays and Crafts (for adults and seniors) All materials provided. Nov 18 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. How to: Pickled Foods (for adults and seniors) Zoie Clay with the OSU Extension Office will give a hands-on demonstration on how to pickle various foods. This class is limited to 15 participants. Nov 12 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Movie: Karate Kid-Legends (for adults and seniors) Popcorn and water will be provided. Nov 14 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Youth Programs Fun with Snap Circuits (for ages 6 – 11) Drop in to explore Snap Circuits-a fun and creative way to learn about electronic engineering for kids. Nov. 3 | Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Teen Craft Club (for teens) Bring your own project or create with supplies we have on hand. Teen crafters of any experience are welcome! Nov. 3 | South Point | 3:30 p.m. Let’s Learn French (for all ages) Learn French with the Pimsleur Method! We will focus on real conversation skills through guided listening and speaking, just natural language learning! Nov. 3, 4, 17, 18, 24, 25 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 3:00 p.m. Lego at the Library (for kids & teens) Kids of all ages are invited to get creative and bring their brick-building ideas to life. Nov. 3 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Can you beat the clock? (for kids & teens) No School today? Drop in and see if you can complete our 60-second challenges inspired by “Minute to Win It”. Prizes for every challenge completed! Nov. 4 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 1:00 p.m. Meet My Teacher at the Library (for kids & families) Families are invited to stop by the library for an afternoon of fun as South Point Elementary First Grade Teacher Stacie Sadler reads stories, shares her favorite books, and connects with students and families through engaging activities. Nov. 4 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Builder’s Club (for ages 6 – 11) Come in and see what you can build using LEGO, magnet tiles, and other construction toys. Nov. 4 & 18 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Paper Bag Luminaries (for kids) Light up your fall evenings with your own handmade luminary! Nov. 4 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. (for kids) Build, create, and explore using LEGO bricks and a variety of other fun building toys like magnet tiles, Keva Planks, wooden blocks, and more. Nov. 5 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Infinity Autumn Star (for ages 10 – 18) Come make an autumn colored star that rotates in on itself. Nov. 5 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Hub: Balloons Over Broadway (for ages 6 – 11) Join us as we learn about the fascinating history of the Macy’s parade balloons, then unleash your creativity as you design and build your very own. Nov. 6 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Preschool Playdate (for ages 3 – 5) Little builders can explore, create, and play with Duplos, wooden blocks, and more. Develop fine motor skills, practice problem-solving, and make new friends in a relaxed and social environment. Nov. 6 & 20 | Proctorville | 12:00 p.m. Math tutoring (for kids & teens) Struggling with math? Come in and receive one-on-one tutoring to help you ace that math test. Nov. 6 & 20 | Proctorville | 3:30 p.m. Kid’s Club: STEM Challenge (for ages 6 – 11) Build, test, and parade your own balloon creation inspired by the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade, with a mini parade at the end using a green screen. Nov. 6 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. NOVEMBER IRONTON SOUTH POINT
CHESAPEAKE AT ST. ANN’S PARRISH HALL PROCTORVILLE SYMMES VALLEY Sharpie Coasters (for teens) Turn a coaster into a unique piece of art with Sharpie markers and rubbing alcohol. Nov. 6 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. (for ages 11–18) Chat about your favorite anime, manga, and Pokémon. Enjoy activities and snacks. Nov. 10 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Art Adventures: Turkey Time (for ages 6-11) Come make your own colorful turkeys using simple craft materials—perfect for getting into the Thanksgiving spirit. Nov. 10 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Thanksgiving Family Feud (for kids & teens) Come play the classic TV game show with your friends and win a prize. Nov. 10 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Thankful for Seeds (for ages 6 – 11) Explore the importance of seeds, learn how they connect us to food and nature, create a small seed shaker, decorate seed envelopes and read a story about seeds “sleeping.” Presented by The Common Soil Collective. Nov 12 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Spread Kindness, Share Thanks! (for kids & teens) Paint rocks with happy messages, fun designs, or colorful patterns. Share your rock in the community or take it home to give to friends and family. Nov. 13 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Dinoparty (for ages 4 – 11) Celebrate Dinovember with a ROAR! Come join us for dinosaur themed games and crafts. Nov. 13 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Family Storytime: The Perfect Pie (for kids & families) We’ll share sweet and silly stories, sing songs, and enjoy rhymes that celebrate everyone’s favorite flaky, fruity treat. Nov. 15 | Ironton | 10:30 a.m. Crafter-noon: Gratitude Jar (for kids and teens) Decorate your own jar to hold notes about everything that makes you smile. Nov. 15 | Ironton | 1:00 p.m. Teen Paint & Sip (for teens) Join us as we follow a step-by-step video to paint a turkey masterpiece. Drinks and light snacks will be provided. Nov. 17 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Stuff It! (for ages 5 – 11) Warm up to the thanksgiving feast by tasting various brands of stuffing and find out which one is your favorite, then make your own stuffed turkey. Nov. 17 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Little Picassos (for ages 3 – 5) Little artists and their caregivers will explore colors, textures, and simple techniques through hands-on projects that encourage imagination and fine motor skills. Nov. 18 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Altered Thrifted Painting (for teens) Give an old painting a new twist! Add your own funny, spooky, or totally random details. Nov. 18 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Hear, Here Podcast Club (for kids, 6 – 11) Podcasts are better with others! Come listen, share, and dive into topics that make you think, laugh, or say “whoa”. Nov. 18 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Beaded Indian Corn (for kids) Create a festive backpack charm with fall colored beads and pipe cleaners. Nov. 18 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (for kids) A fun time featuring the beloved Peanuts gang! We’ll watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, enjoy themed crafts, and share some tasty snacks— just like Snoopy’s feast. Nov. 18 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Hub: Cooking Class (for ages 6 – 11) Students will learn basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, measuring, and will prepare simple recipes. Class will focus on hands-on practice, building confidence, and having fun in the kitchen. Presented by Zoie Clay, OSU Extension Educator. Nov. 19 | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Kool-Aid Lip Gloss (for teens) Create your own lip gloss using simple ingredients and fun add-ins. Nov. 20 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Thanksgiving (for teens) You are invited to a Stranger Things– themed event full of 1980s vibes and creative challenges. Make crafts, play themed games, and celebrate friendship and gratitude Hawkins-style. Nov. 22 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 1:00 p.m. Coffee Social (for teens) Hang out with your friends, play games, and have some coffee. Nov. 22 | Proctorville | 1:00 p.m Family Storytime: Hibernation (for kids & families) Wear your pajamas, snuggle in, and get cozy as we explore the sleepy side of nature. Nov. 13 | Ironton | 6:00 p.m.
NOV 3 rd Fun with Snap Circuits | 3:00 p.m. Ironton Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Teen Craft Club | 3:30 p.m. South Point Lego at the Library | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 4 th Can You Beat The Clock? | 1:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Meet My Teacher at the Library | 4:00 p.m. South Point Builder’s Club | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Paper Bag Luminaries | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 5 th Thanksgiving Sign | 2:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall LEGO Club | 4:00 p.m. South Point Infinity Autumn Star | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 6 th Balloons Over Broadway | 11:00 a.m. South Point Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville How to: Preserving Herbs | 2:00 p.m. South Point Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville STEM Challenge | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Sharpie Coasters | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 8 th Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 10 th Thanksgiving Sign | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Anime Club | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Turkey Time | 4:00 p.m. South Point Thanksgiving Family Feud | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 12 th How to: Pickled Foods | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Thankful for Seeds | 4:00 p.m. Ironton 13 th Thanksgiving Sign | 2:00 p.m. South Point Spread Kindness, Share Thanks! | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Dinoparty | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Hibernation | 6:00 p.m. Ironton 14 th Movie: Karate Kid-Legends (PG-13) | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 15 th The Perfect Pie | 10:30 a.m. Ironton Gratitude Jar | 1:00 p.m. Ironton 17 th Seeds of Gratitude | 3:00 p.m. Ironton Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Teen Paint & Sip | 4:00 p.m. South Point Stuff It! | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 18 th Bow Making for the Holidays and Crafts | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Little Picassos | 11:00 a.m. South Point Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Builder’s Club | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Altered Thrifted Painting | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Hear, Here Podcast Club | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Charlie Brown Thanksgiving | 4:00 p.m. South Point Beaded Indian Corn | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 19 th Cooking Class | 11:00 a.m. Ironton Bingo | 2:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 20 th Bingo | 2:00 p.m. South Point 3rd Thursday Book Discussion | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville Kool-Aid Lip Gloss | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 21 st Bingo | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 22 nd A Stranger Things Thanksgiving | 1:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Coffee Social | 1:00 p.m. Proctorville Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 24 th Thanksgiving Sign | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 25 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Looking forward to Spring! The BLCPL Community Garden adjacent to our Proctorville location will open to the public in Spring 2026. Users already enjoy our gardening and preservation classes and our seed library. Next we are opening up the greenspace to community users so they can grow their own produce or decorative plants in our raised garden beds designed with mobility in mind. In addition to the regular beds we have a variety of wheelchair accessible gardening beds on our tiled terrace for easy access to wheelchair users and those who use stability aids.
DEC 1 st Fun with Snap Circuits | 3:00 p.m. Ironton Lego at the Library | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 2 nd Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall The Huntington Nutcracker | 4:30 p.m. South Point Cookies With Santa | 5:30 p.m. Ironton 3 rd Movie: Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville LEGO Club | 4:00 p.m. South Point 4 th Fairy Tale STEM | 11:00 a.m. South Point Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville How to: Freezing and Dehydrating Foods | 2:00 p.m. South Point Alcohol Ink Ornaments | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley Cookies With Santa | 5:30 p.m. Proctorville Family Storytime: The Grinch | 6:00 p.m. Ironton 6 th Family Storytime: Gingerbread Man | 10:30 a.m. Ironton Crafter-noon: Ugly Sweater Workshop | 1:00 p.m. Ironton Cookies With Santa | 1:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Dec 6 to Dec 20 | Mitten Tree | All Branches 8 th Gifts from the Kitchen | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Art Adventures: Tissue Paper Trees | 4:00 p.m. South Point Salt Dough Ornaments | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 9 th Tri-State Mountain Dulcimer Society | 11:00 a.m. South Point Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Book Swap & Cocoa | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Cookies With Santa | 5:30 p.m. South Point 10 th Nature’s Winter Magic | 4:00 p.m. Ironton 11 th Christmas Tree Garland | 2:00 p.m. South Point Kid’s Club: Terra Cotta Christmas Bells | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Planning Your 2026 Garden | 4:30 p.m. Ironton Spongebob Party | 5:00 p.m. Proctorville Cookies with Santa | 5:30 p.m. Symmes Valley 12 th Christmas Tree Garland | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Friday BEFORE the 13th - Nailed it! | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish 13 th Dec 13 – Dec 20 | Free Gift Wrapping | Ironton, Proctorville, South Point Coffee Social | 1:00 p.m. Proctorville Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Kelley’s Bridge | 3:00 p.m. South Point 15 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Cocoa & Craft Drop-in | 3:00 p.m. Ironton Shrinky-dinks | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Planning Your 2026 Garden | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Gingerbread Houses| 4:00 p.m. South Point 16 th Little Picassos | 11:00 a.m. South Point Christmas Tree Garland | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Evergreens and Winter Wonders |3:00 p.m. Ironton Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Builder’s Club | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Hear, Here Podcast Club | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Shrinky Dink Ornaments | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 17 th Homeschool Hub: Cooking Class | 11:00 a.m. Ironton Christmas Tree Garland | 2:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 18 th Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville 3rd Thursday Book Discussion | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville 19 th Fireside Story Hour | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 27 th Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 2 nd Jan 2 to Feb 14 | Winter Reading Challenge | All Branches 5 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Fun with Snaps Circuits | 3:00 p.m. Ironton Lego at the Library | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 6 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Builder’s Club | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 7 th 3D Paper Snowflakes | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville How To: Winter Seed Sowing | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 8 th Homeschool Hub: Winter Birds | 11:00 a.m. South Point Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville Coffee Filter Wreath | 2:00 p.m. South Point Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville Boba Tea Bangle | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley How To: Winter Seed Sowing | 4:30 p.m. Ironton Family Storytime: Blankets | 6:00 p.m. Ironton 10 th Family Storytime: Hot Chocolate | 10:30 a.m. Ironton Dungeons & Dragons | 11:00 a.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Crafter-Noon: Hot Cocoa Mug Cozies | 1:00 p.m. Ironton Coffee Social | 1:00 p.m. Proctorville Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 12 th Coffee Filter Wreath | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Winter Mason Jars | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Art Adventures: Snowy Owls | 4:00 p.m. South Point 13 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Hear, Here Podcast Club | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Game On–Teen Board Game Night | 4:00 p.m. South Point Snowman Pom Pom Poppers | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 14 th Homeschool Hub: California Gold Rush | 11:00 a.m. Ironton Coffee Filter Wreath | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville 15 th 3rd Thursday Book Discussion | 2:00 p.m. Proctorville Garden Dream | 4:00 p.m. Ironton LEGO Club | 4:00 p.m. South Point Origami Fairy Lights | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 17 th Dreaming of Spring | 3:00 p.m. Ironton 20 th Little Picassos | 11:00 a.m. South Point Pine Cone Bird Feeder | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 21 st Sock Snowmen | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 22 nd Preschool Playdate | 12:00 p.m. Proctorville Math Tutoring | 3:30 p.m. Proctorville Straw Weaving Bookmark | 4:00 p.m. Symmes Valley 23 rd Movie: Cool Runnings (PG) | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 24 th Penguin Day | 11:00 a.m. Ironton Hot Chocolate Tasting | 1:00 p.m. Proctorville On This Day In History: Struck Gold! | 1:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Nimble Needlers | 2:00 p.m. Ironton Dungeons & Dragons | 2:00 p.m. Ironton 26 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Escape the Ice Cave | 4:00 p.m. Ironton Beaded Snowflakes | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville 27 th Let’s Learn French | 3:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall Meet My Teacher at the Library | 4:00 p.m. South Point 28 th Coffee Filter Wreath | 2:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall 29 th Pinecone Owl | 4:00 p.m. Proctorville Piece it together! | 4:00 p.m. St. Ann’s Parish Hall JAN
Adult Programs Crochet Club (for adults and seniors) Every Tuesday of the month South Point | 1:00 p.m. Every Other Thursday | Proctorville | 5:00 p.m. Yoga for All (for adults and seniors) This class is for beginners and pros alike. Please bring your own mat. Every Wednesday| Ironton | 6:00 p.m. Nimble Needlers (for adults and seniors) Calling all needle crafters. Bring your projects and enjoy socializing with fellow crafters. Dec. 13 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Dec. 27 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. 3rd Thursday Book Discussion (for adults and seniors) Contact Carolyn at the Proctorville Branch for this month’s title and to obtain a copy of the book. Dec. 18 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Movie: Nutcracker and the Four Realms (PG) (for adults and seniors) Popcorn and water will be provided. Dec. 3 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. How to: Freezing and Dehydrating Foods (for adults and seniors) Zoie Clay with the OSU Extension Office will be showing us how to freeze and dehydrate different foods. Dec. 4 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Mitten Tree (for adults and seniors) Please help each library branch decorate our trees with new mittens, gloves, hats, scarves or socks. These will be donated to local charities for distribution. Dec. 6 – Dec. 20 | All Branches Gifts From the Kitchen (for adults and seniors) Zoie Clay with the OSU Extension Office will give a hands-on demonstration on homemade food gifts to give from the kitchen. Class size is limited to 15 participants. Dec. 8 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Tri-State Mountain Dulcimer Society (for adults and seniors) Enjoy a morning of Christmas music presented by local musicians. Dec. 9 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Christmas Tree Garland (for adults and seniors) All materials provided. Dec. 11 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Dec. 12 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Dec. 16 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Dec. 17 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 2:00 p.m. Planning Your 2026 Garden (for adults and seniors) Presented by the Growers Gettin’ Dirty Garden Club Dec. 11 | Ironton | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Free Gift Wrapping (for adults and seniors) The stations will be available from 10:00 a.m., when we open, until an hour before we close. The times will vary at each branch. For more information, call your local branch. Dec. 13 – Dec 20 | Ironton, Proctorville, South Point Kelley’s Bridge (for adults and seniors) Enjoy an afternoon of Christmas music presented by local musicians. Dec. 13 | South Point | 3:00 p.m. Evergreens and Winter Wonders (for adults and seniors) The Common Soil Collective will lead a session about winter ecology and all participants will craft a mini evergreen arrangement. Dec. 16 | Ironton |3:00 p.m. Youth Programs Fun with Snap Circuits (for ages 6 – 11) Drop in to explore Snap Circuits-a fun and creative way to learn about electronic engineering for kids. Dec. 1 | Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Teen Craft Club (for teens) Bring your own project or create with supplies we have on hand. Teen crafters of any experience are welcome! Dec. 1 | South Point | 3:30 p.m. Lego at the Library (for kids and teens) Kids of all ages are invited to get creative and bring their brick-building ideas to life. Dec. 1 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Let’s Learn French (for all ages) Learn French with the Pimsleur Method! We will focus on real conversation skills through guided listening and speaking, just natural language learning! Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 3:00 p.m. Builder’s Club (for ages 6 – 11) Come in and see what you can build using LEGO, magnet tiles, and other construction toys. Dec. 2 & 16 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. The Huntington Nutcracker (for kids of all ages & families) Families are invited for a special afternoon ballet performance and storytime this holiday season! Come listen to the Nutcracker story and watch the dancers of Huntington Dance Theatre school and company bring the story to life! Families will be able to meet the dancers and take photos following the performance as well. Dec. 2 | South Point | 4:30 p.m. Cookies With Santa (for all ages) Join us for a festive holiday celebration! Enjoy delicious cookies, holiday cheer, and a special visit from Santa Claus himself. Santa will be available for photos and to hear your holiday wishes. Dec. 2 | Ironton | 5:30 p.m. Dec. 4 | Proctorville | 5:30 p.m. Dec. 6 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 1:00 p.m. Dec. 9 | South Point | 5:30 p.m. Dec. 11 | Symmes Valley | 5:30 p.m. Math tutoring (for kids & teens) Struggling with math? Come in and receive one-on-one tutoring to help you ace that math test. Dec. 3 & 18 | Proctorville | 3:30 p.m. LEGO Club (for kids) Build, create, and explore using LEGO bricks, magnet tiles, Keva Planks, wooden blocks, and more. Dec. 3 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. DECEMBER IRONTON SOUTH POINT
Homeschool Hub: Fairy Tale STEM (for ages 6 – 11) Join us for some fun hands-on learning inspired by The Three Billy Goats Gruff! We’ll explore STEM concepts through interactive activities like building bridges, testing weight limits, and solving challenges to help the goats cross safely. Dec. 4 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Preschool Playdate (for ages 3 – 5) Little builders can explore, create, and play with Duplos, wooden blocks, and more. Develop fine motor skills, practice problem-solving, and make new friends in a relaxed and social environment. Dec. 4 & 18 | Proctorville | 12:00 p.m. Alcohol Ink Ornaments (for teens) Design color-swirled ornaments for a one-of-a-kind holiday decoration. Dec. 4 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Family Storytime: The Grinch (for kids & families) Join us for a Grinch-themed storytime filled with heartwarming holiday stories, songs, and crafts. Dec. 4 | Ironton | 6:00 p.m. Family Storytime: Gingerbread Man (for kids & families) Run, run as fast as you can—to join us for storytime with gingerbread stories, songs, and fun. Dec. 6 | Ironton | 10:30 a.m. Crafter-noon: Ugly Sweater Workshop (for kids & teens) You bring the sweater and we will provide the wild and wacky decorations to add to the sweater. Dec. 6 | Ironton | 1:00 p.m. Anime Club (for ages 11 – 18) Chat about your favorite anime, manga, and Pokémon. Enjoy activities and snacks. Dec. 8 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Art Adventures: Tissue Paper Trees (for ages 6 – 11) Join us as we use colorful tissue paper to make some festive art. Dec. 8 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Salt Dough Ornaments (for kids & teens) Make your tree ornaments personal and meaningful by painting salt dough ornaments. Available while supplies last. Dec. 8 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Book Swap & Cocoa (for teens) Bring a gently used book and exchange it while hanging out and sipping cocoa. Dec. 9 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Nature’s Winter Magic (for ages 6 – 11) A hands-on program where children discover how nature adapts in winter. We’ll make pinecone bird feeders and evergreen nature collage to celebrate the season’s beauty. And wrap up with a fun nature scavenger hunt you can take home. Presented by The Common Soil Collective. Dec. 10 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Kid’s Club: Terra Cotta Christmas Bells (for ages 6 – 11) Make merry bells from clay pots for your tree or to give as a gift. Dec. 11 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Spongebob Party (for ages 5 – 11) Let’s celebrate the new Spongebob movie by having a party. Eat some Spongebob themed snacks and play some games. Dec. 11 | Proctorville | 5:00 p.m. Friday BEFORE the 13th - Nailed it! (for teens) Inspired by Friday the 13th or The Nightmare Before Christmas? You’ll be given a list of themed items that must appear on your cake. Will you create a chilling masterpiece…or will your cake be a “Nailed It!” disaster? Supplies and cakes provided. Registration required to ensure cakes are available for all. Dec. 12 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Coffee Social (for teens) Hang out with your friends, play games, and have some coffee. Dec. 13 | Proctorville | 1:00 p.m. Cocoa & Craft Drop-in (for kids & teens) Warm up with cocoa and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of winter and holiday-themed crafts. Stay for a while or just pop in! Dec. 15 | Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Shrinky-dinks (for kids & teens) Make Christmasthemed art and watch it magically shrink. Dec. 15 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Little Picassos (for ages 3 – 5) Little artists and their caregivers will explore colors, textures, and simple techniques through hands-on projects that encourage imagination and fine motor skills. Dec. 16 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Hear, Here Podcast Club (for ages 6 – 11) Podcasts are better with others! Come listen, share, and dive into topics that make you think, laugh, or say “whoa”. Dec. 16 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Shrinky Dink Ornaments (for kids) Create your own Shrinky Dink ornaments, then watch them shrink into a magical, special creation you’ll treasure. Dec. 16 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Hub: Cooking Class (for ages 6 – 11) Students will learn basic cooking skills, kitchen safety, measuring, and will prepare simple recipes. Class will focus on hands-on practice, building confidence, and having fun in the kitchen. Presented by Zoie Clay, OSU Extension Educator. Dec. 17 | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Fireside Story Hour (for kids & families) Cozy up under mini tents near a glowing faux fire, listen to stories filled with laughter and magic, sing campfire songs and make your own mini portable campfire. Dec. 19 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 3:00 p.m. CHESAPEAKE AT ST. ANN’S PARRISH HALL PROCTORVILLE SYMMES VALLEY Gingerbread Houses (for teens) Join us for a fun-filled afternoon of building gingerbread houses using graham crackers, icing, and plenty of candy. Whether you’re a master builder or just in it for the sugar, come show off your skills and imagination. Dec. 15 | South Point | 4:00 p.m.
Adult Programs Crochet Club (for adults and seniors) Every Tuesday of the month South Point | 1:00 p.m. Every Other Thursday | Proctorville | 5:00 p.m. Yoga for All (for adults and seniors) This class is for beginners and pros alike. Please bring your own mat. Every Wednesday| Ironton | 6:00 p.m. Winter Reading Challenge Jan. 2 – Feb. 14 (for all ages) Cozy up with great books and make reading a habit this winter. Join our winter reading challenge for your chance to win some great prizes. How To: Winter Seed Sowing (for adults and seniors) Presented by the Growers Getting’ Dirty Garden Club Jan. 7 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Jan. 8 | Ironton | 4:30 p.m. Coffee Filter Wreath (for adults and seniors) All materials provided. Jan. 8 | South Point | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 12 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 14 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 28 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 2:00 p.m. Nimble Needlers (for adults and seniors) Calling all needle crafters. Bring your projects and enjoy socializing with fellow crafters. Jan. 10 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Jan. 24 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. 3rd Thursday Book Discussion (for adults and seniors) Contact Carolyn at the Proctorville Branch for this month’s title and to obtain a copy of the book. Jan. 15 | Proctorville | 2:00 p.m. Dreaming of Spring (for adults and seniors) The Common Soil Collective will lead this session where participants will make garden vision boards, talk about houseplants for winter mood-boosting, and a winter sowing demonstration where everyone can plant their own jug. Jan. 17 | Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Movie: Cool Runnings (PG) (for adults and seniors)Popcorn and water will be provided. Jan. 23 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Youth Programs Let’s Learn French (for all ages) Learn French with the Pimsleur Method! We will focus on real conversation skills through guided listening and speaking, just natural language learning! Jan. 5, 6, 12, 13, 26, 27 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 3:00 p.m. Fun with Snaps Circuits (for ages 6 – 11) Drop in to explore Snap Circuits-a fun and creative way to learn about electronic engineering for kids. Jan. 5 | Ironton | 3:00 p.m. Lego at the Library (for kids and teens) Kids of all ages are invited to get creative and bring their brick-building ideas to life. Jan. 5 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Teen Craft Club (for teens) Bring your own project or create with supplies we have on hand. Teen crafters of any experience are welcome! Jan. 5 | South Point | 3:30 p.m. Builder’s Club (for ages 6 – 11) Come in and see what you can build using LEGO, magnet tiles, and other construction toys. Jan. 6 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. 3D Paper Snowflakes (for ages 10 – 18) Make a cool 3D snowflake using paper and basic folding techniques. Jan. 7 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Hub: Winter Birds (for ages 6 – 11) Discover common birds that stay through the winter, learn cool bird facts, and create a bird-themed craft to take home. Jan. 8 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Preschool Playdate (for ages 3 – 5) Little builders can explore, create, and play with Duplos, wooden blocks, and more. Develop fine motor skills, practice problem-solving, and make new friends in a relaxed and social environment. Jan. 8 & 22 | Proctorville | 12:00 p.m. Math tutoring (for kids & teens) Struggling with math? Come in and receive one-on-one tutoring to help you ace that math test. Jan. 8 & 22 | Proctorville | 3:30 p.m. Boba Tea Bangle (for teens) Create a boba tea bracelet with cute boba tea charms. Jan. 8 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Family Storytime: Blankets (for kids & families) A cozy, blanket-themed storytime! Jan. 8 | Ironton | 6:00 p.m. Family Storytime: Hot Chocolate (for kids & families) Join us for stories, songs, and rhymes that are as warm and cozy as a mug of hot chocolate! Jan. 10 | Ironton | 10:30 a.m. Dungeons & Dragons (for ages 6 – 11) Embark on an epic adventure at the library’s Dungeons & Dragons Day— gather your party, roll the dice, and let the quest begin! Jan. 10 | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Crafter-Noon: Hot Cocoa Mug Cozies (for kids & teens) Dress up your favorite drink with a handmade No-Sew Felt Cup Cozy! Jan. 10 | Ironton | 1:00 p.m. Coffee Social (for teens) Hang out with your friends, play games, and have some coffee. Jan. 10 | Proctorville | 1:00 p.m. JANUARY IRONTON SOUTH POINT
Anime Club (for ages 11–18) Join us for an Anime, Manga, and Pokémon discussion, activities and snacks. Jan. 12 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Art Adventures: Snowy Owls (for ages 6 – 11) In this fun, hands-on art, kids will create their own snowy owl-inspired masterpieces using a variety of art materials. Jan. 12 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Winter Mason Jars (for ages 5 – 18) Make your own winter wonderland that lights up using mason jars and colorful tissue paper Jan. 12 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Hear, Here Podcast Club (for kids, 6 – 11) Podcasts are better with others! Come listen, share, and dive into topics that make you think, laugh, or say “whoa”. Jan. 13 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Game On–Teen Board Game Night (for teen) Join us for a chill afternoon of board games, snacks, and good vibes! Bring your game face—or just come to hang out. Jan. 13 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Snowman Pom Pom Poppers (for kids) Decorate a snowman cup, load it with pom poms, and pop them into the air for some frosty fun! Jan. 13 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Homeschool Hub: California Gold Rush (for ages 6 – 11) Explore the California Gold Rush through stories, maps, and a hands-on gold panning activity. Learn how a single discovery changed California forever. Jan. 14 | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. Garden Dream (for ages 6 – 11) Kids will imagine and design their “dream garden” through drawing, collaging, and storytelling, sparking creativity and a love for gardening during the winter months. We will learn how to sow seeds in the winter and they will take their very own jug home to watch sprout. Presented by The Common Soil Collective. Jan. 15 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. LEGO Club (for kids) Build, create, and explore using LEGO bricks and a variety of other fun building toys like magnet tiles, Keva Planks, wooden blocks, and more. Jan. 15 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Origami Fairy Lights (for teens) Personalize your room decor with string lights you adorn with origami. Jan. 15 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Little Picassos (for ages 3 – 5) Little artists and their caregivers will explore colors, textures, and simple techniques through hands-on projects that encourage imagination and fine motor skills. Jan. 20 | South Point | 11:00 a.m. Pine Cone Bird Feeder (for kids) Help our feathered friends and turn pinecones into bird feeders using peanut butter and birdseed. Jan. 20 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Sock Snowmen (for ages 5 – 11) Make an adorable snowman using socks and various craft items. Jan. 21 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Kid’s Club: Wright Brothers Flight Fun (for ages 6 – 11) Learn how two Ohio bicycle makers invented the first airplane and changed the world. We will explore the science of flight with hands-on paper airplane activities. Jan. 22 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Straw Weaving Bookmark (for teens) Weave your own colorful bookmarks using straws as a loom! Jan. 22 | Symmes Valley | 4:00 p.m. Penguin Day (for kids) Celebrate everything penguin, with fun crafts, games, and “waddle like a penguin” obstacle course. Jan. 24 | Ironton | 11:00 a.m. On This Day In History: Struck Gold! (for kids & teens) Travel back to January 24, 1848, and uncover the story of the California Gold Rush in this exciting, hands-on program. Jan. 24 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 1:00 p.m. Hot chocolate tasting (for kids & teens) Find out which hot chocolate is your favorite with a blind taste test. Learn how to make champurrado, a Mexican hot chocolate that will give your taste buds a surprise. Jan. 24 | Proctorville | 1:00 p.m. Dungeons & Dragons (for teens) Embark on an epic adventure at the library’s Dungeons & Dragons Day— gather your party, roll the dice, and let the quest begin! Jan. 24 | Ironton | 2:00 p.m. Escape the Ice Cave (for teens) You fall into a hidden ice cave, and the entrance seals shut behind you. You have 45 minutes to find your way out before the temperature drops too low for survival...Can you work with other teens to escape in time? Jan. 26 | Ironton | 4:00 p.m. Beaded Snowflakes (for ages 5 – 11) Celebrate the beauty of snow by making snowflakes using beads. Jan. 26 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m. Meet My Teacher at the Library (for kids & families) Families are invited to stop by the library for an afternoon of fun as South Point Elementary Fourth Grade Teacher Sheila Walter reads stories, shares her favorite books, and connects with students and families through engaging activities. Jan. 27 | South Point | 4:00 p.m. Piece it together! (for kids & teens) Puzzle lovers unite! Celebrate National Puzzle Day with exciting puzzles, riddles, and challenges. Join us and test how many you can solve. Jan. 29 | St. Ann’s Parish Hall | 4:00 p.m. Pinecone Owl (for ages 5 – 11) Make an adorable owl craft using pinecones and cotton. Jan. 29 | Proctorville | 4:00 p.m CHESAPEAKE AT ST. ANN’S PARRISH HALL PROCTORVILLE SYMMES VALLEY
Stories of hope with the help of HALO A man came into the library because he’d heard we had bicycles for checkout and he wanted to book one to visit local clinics and pick a new primary care physician. Without a car he would have needed to find a ride service or a friend to give him a lift to the offices. Trying that previous to visiting BLCPL had been hard to schedule and wasn’t successful. By checking out a bike at BLCPL he was able to meet his transportation needs, claim his personal agency and meet his own schedule, and connect with a new PCP to continue his diabetic healthcare. We are determined to help people in ways that preserve their personal agency and dignity wherever we can. Another man came into the library seeking information about rehab facilities in South Point forSubstance Use Disorder. Our clerks know that part of HALO is going above and beyond toconnect patrons with the resources they need. Our clerks provided him with available rehab options. They facilitated his telehealth intake call with the SUD rehabilitation facility in a private area of the library. The rehabilitation facility sent transportation to the library to pick up the man who requested recovery support and our clerks stayed with him, at his request, while he waited for his ride. We could not be prouder to facilitate his journey to recovery. Recently a young woman returned one of our blood-pressure kits to the library after 3 months of use. This patron is newly pregnant and wanted to thank us for providing hera way to do the monitoring her doctor recommended without incurring another cost during an expensive time in her life and to provide her with the peace of mind she needed as she adjusts to her changing health circumstances. She was determined to tell us how much it meant for her to have this monitor and what peace of mind she got. We are happy to play a small part in her family growth and have invited her back to pick up a library card for her new family member. These are just a few of the stories that show how BLCPL is supporting HALO. We are proud of playing a vital role in creating a healthy, active, Lawrence Ohio. We invite youto checkout all of our Beyond Books projects and engage with your library today. I’d like to tell you a little bit about Briggs Lawrence County Public Library System’s HALO project. BLCPL has been working to move “Beyond Books” since 2023 by expanding our catalog, our programming outreach, and our items for checkout to include a group of non-traditional checkout items in our “Library of Things” housed at our South Point Branch, located at 317 Solida Road, South Point, Ohio 45680. Our Library of Things is one small portion of our HALO project. HALO is a multi-pronged answer to the needs and requests of our patrons. We are doing our part to build a Healthy Active Lawrence Ohio. Our patrons have asked us to assist them in procuring the ways and means to take better care of their health, to get outside and engage with greenspaces, and to try news activities and skill-building. We began answering that call in 2023 with “Book a Bike” at our Ironton Branch, located at 321 South 4th Street, Ironton, Ohio 45638. Patrons can borrow a cruising bicycle for 24-72 hours from the library free of charge including the necessary helmet. A toddler cruiser attachment and a hauling cart are some extra items patrons can checkout to make their bicycle use meet more of their needs. Next came the exercise and sports equipment available for free checkout from our Library of Things at South Point. Those interested in trying out pickle ball, disc golf, and other outdoor activities can checkout our equipment to see if different sports are for them and their needs. Then came our partnership with the American Heart Association’s program, Libraries with Heart, to provide blood pressure screening kits for checkout in South Point. Next Spring BLCPL will be in bloom as the Community Garden opens at our Proctorville Branch, located at 410 Elizabeth Street, Proctorville, Ohio 45669. We hope to be providing the community with free healthy produce and gardening space next year. These steps are just the beginning, but I’d like to take a minute to tell you how they are being used. Gretchen Claypool, Executive Director, Briggs Lawrence County Public Library System
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